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29 Jan 2014 22:52:58
Anyone else seen the article about us being in for Jerome Boatang? Anyone know if interest is real? Please let it be. Do we need Draxler in this window? Surely a player available now would be better and a striker is key so why not just pay Diego Costas release clause and be done with it. Either that or offer City 60M for Aguero
29 Jan 2014 22:44:02
Jose Jose Jose how can YOU of all people moan about a teams negative tactics?
Is some one feeling the pressure? Poor sausage .
Failed at Real and if you do the same at chelski you could be QPR bound next season my friend .
Moan less do more might be what your boss is thinking and it won't be long before he starts looking for some one who does both
Hes busy complaining that wenger is always complaining. think about city. and trying not to lose 6-0.
29 Jan 2014 22:36:43
Trying to be positive, but just watched Man City rip the sugar out of Tottenham.
I just can't see us finishing above City, they are amazing to watch, unbelievably ruthless and if a player gets injured they just bring another one on who is just as talented.
Im worried Gents.
Spot on DG, let's all be realistic, we will not finish above M City
Yes. But, can they sustain this form, and can we find our form again when the men wandering in the wilderness return? Ramsay, our best player from first half of the season, Rosicky, Carzola, Ozil, Podolski - it's all a bit like a misfiring engine that needs to ignite, and basically, now not April. The good news is, Draxler has been assessed by the same medic as did Ozil;s medical, and he could start in. hold on. one week if we strike a deal. Keep the faith, as long as we give it 100% that's all we can ask
I can see where you all are coming from but we are more than capable of keeping within a point of city. It then becomes a showdown at the emirates, which we would have every chance of winning.
There's no denying it, City are head and shoulders above everyone in terms of both quality and depth.
but I'm not going to get all defeatist about it - we win all our games and we win the league. In terms of points there's still little in it and whilst it stays like that I'm still hoping this year could be ours.
We sign Vucinic and Matuidi it could give this squad the same boost as when Ozil joined.
We are building for the future. perhaps if city win the title this year, and with the likes of yaya toure turning 31 soon, and possible interest in real madrid for Aguero, it may not be the best summer they might have wanted.
we have to continue building and we will pick up some silverware.
its not for a lack of trying, the other two teams are financially doping.
If current form is anything to go by then I agree. I don't see us finishing above city BUT their away form as been very inconsistent this season and who's to say that they won't make another blunder on the road? We need to find our form and consistency and just keep getting results to stay within a point of them. We still have every chance of winning the league this season but it's in City and Chelsea's hands as much as it is in our own.
Good comment's Gents.
29 Jan 2014 22:15:13
Dani Osvaldo will sign for Juventus by Friday. Vucunic could be a decent loan option to boost the ranks.
Matuidi being speculated as his contract runs out in the summer and Wenger could sign him for a decent price.
Higuain, I meant Draxler has been mentioned a few thousand times. Will he? Won't he? Who the hell knows?!
Buckle up Gooners! It was about this time in the summer window things got rolling and we signed one of the best players on the planet!
The next 48hrs will be a rollercoaster! Bring your sick bag or box of tissues to cover most eventualities.
29 Jan 2014 22:12:56
Ok so were second but were not third, we were disappointed with a point away to Southampton just think how Chelski feel with a point at home to West ham .
My point is things ain't so bad even if there not quite perfect
Very well said G62
29 Jan 2014 22:12:39
Just looked and the last time Draxler was 1/10 on but now not in betting does mean they know something or just taken too much money
29 Jan 2014 22:11:43
Amongst a little bit of doom and gloom that has crept in on here I honestly think that looking at the table as it stands now is spot on with where we stand with this squad and it's undoubted quality.
City are at another level but I don't see Chelsea as better than us, I also think if we added two players of the quality of Aguero and Toure we would have pretty much the finished article.
Yes we need back up in a couple of other positions but that's really it.
Arsene just has to stay away from any sentimentality when he adds the final pieces. He showed he can do it with Gervinho and he may have to do it again in the summer.
I would take 2nd and the FA Cup and if memory serves me right g62 said that the other day.
The thing is there's only 2 players with a likeness & the same qualities as Toure & Aguero that's Vidal & Messi.
29 Jan 2014 21:48:51
Strange results tonight
Bore draw for Jose and a thumping for the spurs
Interesting - need to buy to compete with $hity
29 Jan 2014 20:19:44
We should go for grenier and konolanka now that we have injuries in midfield. Both been targets in the past
Newcastle and Liverpool bound?
We could hijack the deal
29 Jan 2014 20:19:18
What's happening in our physio room?
The residents of Midsommer Village have more chance of surviving injury than our players.
Ramsey and Ro 'sicky' were due back last night and lo and behold they are now out again indefinitely.
The injury list never seems to go down - Expect Theo back in March 2017 just in time to negotiate a new contract.
29 Jan 2014 21:35:37
Munchausen by proxy syndrome is the correct medical term and I think I'm right in saying at least two of the Physio's have it and possibly the team Doctor.
Badgers drift is a nice little retreat compared to our physio room. They tried acupuncture once, but instead of needles they used Stanley blades. Not a f**king clue.
Flybo
And don't forget Jack Wilshere's nickname is Jack Wheelchair. I wonder why.
Why is Rosicky out? I thought he a broken nose.are we sure he isn't being flown off to the USA to play with TH
30 Jan 2014 21:26:25
How long is Ramsey out for guys?
29 Jan 2014 20:10:25
Feel the loan signings off Tello and Rodrigo more likely with Draxler in the summer
29 Jan 2014 20:02:32
Clockend, your spot on mate
The price for the tickets is up and down and there's no give and take.
I've heard Bayern have subsidised their supporters tickets for the game at ours to the tune of £30ish each. Puts us and most other English clubs to shame
Financial principles are the same the world over so if they can do things like that we could too! Problem is our money men rule nowadays, and don't have an idea of us being a club or members. We're just customers and they know that if we stop buying a new customer is waiting
I know its supply and demand but it still rankles
Can't afford a category a added to next years season ticket price, so I'll be opting out of that one
29 Jan 2014 18:45:28
Have we shown any interest in Mitroglou at all? Surely of Fulham are speaking with him he's available.
29 Jan 2014 06:31:20
Sorry Eds need to ask you this question. From what I had seen of Salah I always thought he was a really good player and a player I would have liked to have seen at Arsenal. Do you think he would have fitted in on the wing in place of Theo and then given Theo an opportunity to get the strikers role he wanted.
{Ed027's Note - there are no plans to move theo up top
29 Jan 2014 18:28:24
I might get shot for this BUT Arsene will not be signing anyone, he hates this window and has the belief of inflated prices and won't be robbed. No one new will be coming to Arsenal, hopefully we might just finish 3rd,,,,,,,,,,,,, which is an improvement,, yes but will be disappointed because of the good position we are in but our squad is 2 to 3 players shy
29 Jan 2014 18:59:01
Don't think any one shot you on the previous 5 occasions you've said that this month so I think your safe Banbury ;-) lol.
I make you right, but I'd still like to shoot you for bringing realism to proceedings. It's all very frustrating.
Flybo
One average performance please take the opposition into perspective.we are top for a reason we are the most consistent team of 2013 that's a fact .we also play a entertaining freeflowing attacking quality football I was a doubter earlier on in the season but I am proud to be a arsenal fan because we are again a pleasure to support we may not win the league but I for one can't wait to watch us entertain and compete we are growing this is the start not the finish.have faith got a feeling this is our year.
ty.1
29 Jan 2014 17:28:40
Get Matuidi!
I mentioned him earlier this year
HE is the midfielder we need to complete the team
PSGs run in the CL last year was all him. Without him, Ibra gets no service as creative mids have no ball to play
29 Jan 2014 16:58:00
2 poor matches, and we are grinding for 4th place again
Twice, we could have extended lead to 7 at the top, alone, we blew it
Nows when the real grind arrives
Last few matches, our intensity has dropped, our scoring efficiency has been putrid, and opponents lack of killer instinct has gotten us points
True story
I don't understand where the entitlement comes from, by comparison to other years, now is when we play hungry, this year we play like its in the bag
We keep this up, we are in big trouble
Let's remember 04
Liverpool knock us out of FA Cup, then Chelsea knocks us out of CL thanks to Bridge's luckiest goal ever. Then it takes a season defining win at Anfield to get us back on track, otherwise Invincibles is a pipe dream
From treble, we had to save the season
We have the same type of run in this year, eerily similar
If that team could have a poor patch of footy, this one most certainly can
Nows when it better snap into gear, or else it will vanish quicker than it appeared
I don't see the urgency or intensity from anyone but BFG and Kos. That's a problem
Great post US.
Flybo
Coming months ahead are going to be hard. I for 1 am under no illusions as to how our fixtures could pan out and make us look silly. BUT.
Who here thought at the start of the season having sold, released and loaned out 26 ish players and having a minimal squad, that we would even still be in with a chance for the prem League.
We didn't have Oerzil, Flamini (forget sanogo I thing he is another diaby in waiting tbh) and yet now we are still 2nd in the League.
Its nothing to be ashamed about tobe 2nd to Man $#!ty. They have a great squad bought from great money from foreign investors blah blah.
We will come good. I predicted 2nd to my chelsea m8 before the season and I will stick with it. If we get the F.A. (ow please if there is a god) then I am even happier.
But I won't slate our team for where they are or how well they have done, ( which I think is very well with limited player numbers and injuries).
I will get behind them as allways and cheer them.
COYG
and in Arsene we should trust now he has some dosh again.
January sucks for buying players because of cup ties so don't expect much. If it happens then we are the team that rule the world!
29 Jan 2014 15:25:25
Just got a feeling we are going to get a good surprise before Friday
I think draxler and rodrigo might well be arriving
Draxler would be as big a signing as ozil in the long term and rodrigo reminds me of Torres (when he was good!)
Just my 2 pence worth no sources just blind optimism!
Coyg
Rodrigo has been a long term target from the youth world cups he dominated
Would be a stunning duo of signings
And also guarantees
Rosicky versus Bayern
Perfect!
29 Jan 2014 15:01:54
Christophe Metzelder has just stated on twitter that Lewis Holtby is in germany.
whether that be with Schalke or Dortmund is beyond me. but if it is schalke, then the drax deal looks likely now.
I'd be willing to bet it's Schalke, IF he's leaving.
He still loves the club and he did leave them on decent terms, going to Dortmund will kill his Schalke ties forever, as they're complete rivals!
That said, I could be wrong!
But I'm never wrong.
Except for all those times I wasn't right.
D
29 Jan 2014 13:55:43
I know I might get some stick for this, but I will say it anyway. Even if Podolski is operating at 80% efficiency or whatever percentage Wenger says he is, I still think he is still more than double the goal threat that Giroud is when fully fit
Podolski needs to play on the left with Giroud upfront.
Pods had his chances leading the line and he's failed. He's not a centre forward, not in this league.
However he's got the best shot in the team and he should be playing wide left. I'd shift Cazorla to right wing where he played for Villarreal with Ozil in the middle. Their creativity and girouds hold up play will create chances for Podolski around the edge of the box where he's lethal
May well be the case Rue, but they are different types of attacker. My personal opinion is that Podloski is indeed the better player, particularly in terms of power and technical ability. But when he's been played at the front (admittedly not too many times), he has looked a bit lost and unable to read the gaem, rarely getting in the right positions. One thing he slightly lacks is the ability to find space in the area, read passes and crosses coming in from the flanks. Giroud is very good at that and so, in my opinion, is better suited to the CF role.
Podolski works really well coming off the left. I think the reason he isn't getting played so much is that Wenger prefers Cazorla there and wants at least one out-and-out winger to provide width (ie Gnabry/Ox). Wenger should definitely be looking at playing Podolski on the left alongside Giroud, shifting Cazorla to the right. I think we would be a massive goal threat with Podolski and Giroud starting.
Oleg you're a frickin tactical genius :-p
Oleg I don't if you have ever written a bad post but if you have I've never seen one.
Top top post and great knowledge and understanding of the game mate.
No dissrespect to Oleg but it really does not take a tactical genius to see that Carzorla does not play his best games on the left and played better when Poldi was there and Carzorla more central right.
I believe he played a few games at Malaga also on the right wing for cover. let's face it there is nothing worse then being played out of position then if you are made to play on your weaker foot.
Also is it me or when Carzorla is on the left he trys to squeeze in the middle on every attack and I don't mean from the wing I mean from just over the halfway line.
To me its been obviouse he has been played out of position for way to long and that's why he has not been so dominant this year.
I would of liked to have seen santi in the middle against soton with Oerzil and dropped artetta but that's just me.
29 Jan 2014 13:52:25
Good day Gents
Didn't get to watch the game yesterday, but I did see the line up just before kick off. As soon as I saw Flamini and Arteta in midfield, my heart sank. We rarely or rather never produce a good performance when the two are together. But the season is still wide open and it's anyone's game (top 3 that is). Will we live to rue yesterday? Is this the one slip up that we never recover from? I certainly hope not!
Id rather we stay behind city and chelsea about a point or two. so when we go in the head to head battles, the pressure is on them.
Lakerville, couldn't disagree more
It takes a world class striker and solid team scoring record to invoke fear in another team
Chelsea and City are not, will not be fazed
We have got a real fight on our hands
29 Jan 2014 12:52:12
Morning All,
Not sure what others' opinions are, but I see last night as 1 point gained rather than 2 points lost. Thought Southampton played out of their socks and pressed us very well.
Arteta + Flamini clearly does not work well going forward, but I'm not sure what else Wenger could have done with Ramsey and Wilshere both out.
Let's keep it together guys, and I would bet that Wenger has at least one good signing coming in very soon.
Peace,
Trinidad-Gooner
True Trinidad. I personally felt it was one of our most disappointing performances of the season and may have lost us the upper hand in the title race. This could prove costly in our difficult run next month.
BUT - Southampton are a good team too, Chelsea and City could well slip up, and we got a point out of a tough game. So not all negative.
Arteta and Flamini clearly left us limited in the 1st half in terms of creative outlets. I think Wenger should have played Ox in one of the deep roles. It wasn't just selection though - Arteta had a poor game and Flamini basically shot down our chances of getting a late winner by getting sent off. Wenger seems to have left Podolski out as he sees Cazorla on the left as offering more team balance, and Giroud as the only out-and-out striker. But yeah I can't for the life of me understand why Pod didn't come on earlier. If he came on for Gnabry/Cazorla at 60-70 mins, with a little re-shuffle, I think we may well have found a winner. A lot of lessons to learn from that game, but you're right - let's keep it together.
In terms of signings - I think a striker would be the only thing worth taking now. Draxler is excellent but probably better suited to bringing in over the summer. We still have Bendtner and Podolski sitting on the bench every game - one is simply not good enough and one is a different type of player, better suited to playing off a main striker. Podolski should get more game time but alongside Giroud - Bendtner should be replaced with a more dangerous backup to Giroud. That would help us a lot in games like yesterday's.
Agree with arteta and flam. But why not put cazorla there for that game and played pod left wing
100% agree that it was probably the worst first half we've had all season.
And yea Chambo in the middle alongside either Flamini or Arteta would have been ideal, my only guess is maybe Wenger felt he wasn't quite match fit? Definitely a head scratcher though.
Us playing poorly + Southampton playing extremely well = 1 good point in my books. It makes February even harder though, if that was even possible lol.
Signings are assured though, especially with the Ramsey injury. Let's see what Wenger's got up his sleeve.
Peace,
29 Jan 2014 11:34:12
Hi folks few things to get of my chest arteta no good enough as dcm and do we think there may be a surprise last minute signing maybe a striker/winger P.S HURRAY UP AND GET FIT RAMSEY :-)
Been saying he's too slow all year
Although even he's not at fault for Flam starting next to him
Southampton must have been salivating at the thought of those two
29 Jan 2014 11:26:57
Clockend
I couldn't agree more about the cost of tickets for season ticket holders to see the Bayern game. There should be some serious discounting for season ticket holders.
The club money men will probably argue that "we downgraded the FA cup game against Liverpool" but that doesn't make any difference to season ticket holders as that game is covered under the cup game entitlement
Shame the club can't look after the people who represent the major chunk of ticket income and I feel the way they have handled this is PR led to appease the media and ignores their own Gold members
I am also wondering why they are increasing the season ticket prices when they will have more income this season than they budgeted for and the increased shirt deal income.
Feels like the money men at the club are ripping the season ticket holders off! I know I can vote by not renewing but then someone else will take the ticket and the money men will not care anyway. plus my season ticket means a lot to me after 12 years of waiting to get one!
29 Jan 2014 17:56:30
What makes me laugh about the club is the grading of the games my seat has about 4 different prices depending who your playing and if there a London club or not. Afc generate a 3mil minimum on tickets every home game and yet they can't look after there loyalist of fans! Really has peed me off was really hoping for a away draw in this round my seat for spurs game was £62 Coventry £30ish now Liverpool £62 if away would have got bayern game as part of season allocation think I'm going sell Liverpool tickets to pay for bayern game at this rate rant over lol
29 Jan 2014 11:21:14
Was a shame about last night. Turned up late, had less of a warm up and were really lackluster in the first half. Had a good spell at the start of the second half and then went back to how we were in the first half. I think Wenger knows that the combination of Arteta and Flamini doesn't work, but it looks as though he had no choice but to play them together with Jack injured. Not sure why Rosicky wasn't in the squad, even Torres played with a broken nose! And why he played Monreal over Gibbs is a mystery!
I think the depth or, lack thereof, of our squad and is really starting to take its toll. All of our attacking players look exhausted. Apart from his goal, Cazorla was terrible, Ozil was poor apart from one or two class moments. No way Arteta was ready to start coming straight back form injury. Flamini tried his best but was sluggish and his red card challenge was hilarious! Gnabry did alright but he still needs more experience. Wenger should have brought on Podolski way earlier than he did. Considering his from it was a joke that he was on the bench for so long in the game! Gibbs did ok coming off the bench and the Ox is still far from match fit.
Still a point at St. Mary's against a very bright and talented Southampton side is nothing to sneeze at by any means and we did well to hold on to that point.
I do still believe we need new additions in this window to increase our chances of silverware this season but other than a striker I don't see what else would benefit us this season or in the long run. With Ramsey, Wilshere, Flamini and Rosicky to come back as well as Ozil, Cazorla and Arteta that gives us SEVEN players who can play centrally when we need them to. We have three out and out wingers for the rest of the season and three of our central midfielders can also play on the flanks. And we have back up for our defenders, though a fourth centre half would be nice but not the biggest priority. Any midfielder brought in now will cause more harm than good in my opinion unless it is a big strong holding midfielder. I'm still a bit preplexed as to why we are going in for Draxler, class as he is do we really need him? And say our entire squad is fit, would he fit in anywhere in the starting lineup?
I'm not sure. I still don't see us bringing in anyone, even if Wenger has come out and said it is a possibility again.
Opinions?
29 Jan 2014 11:19:38
A disappointing result last night and even more so with Flamini being sent off. However I do wish to take issue with the sending off. I am NOT disputing the tackle deserved a red card, but I AM questioning the inconsistencies of referee decision making. If you saw Man U's last match (not last night), Rafael committed a tackle exactly the same as Flamini, but was he sent off? Additionally, Man U committed another blatant foul in the area which was SO obvious and blatant but again, was he sent off or penalised? Am I the only one who believes refs are scared of making decisions against MU? You can extend such decisions to other teams so it is time the refs are brought into line re such inconsistencies. Certain clubs now insist certain refs do NOT officiate their matches and can you blame them? Some of our so-called top refs are not good enough, surely full-time refs are needed and certainly greater training.Am I alone in this view?
100% agree, Rafael should have been sent off as well. Flamini deserved the red but it's way too inconsistent you are right.
Also I don't think it's a coincidence that it's always the big clubs getting the calls in their favour. Complaining does nothing though, so let's just focus on us!
Peace,
Trinidad-Gooner
29 Jan 2014 10:30:23
at worst tomorrow we will be a point of the top, in the champs league knock out stages after a hard group, in the 5th round of the fa cup with only one of city/chavs left out of the top teams if we get through and signed ozil. its not all doom and gloom folk.
29 Jan 2014 10:24:49
Anyone know how bad Ramsey's injury is? The ever-reputable (remember when we signed Joe Cole - ha) is saying six more weeks.
29 Jan 2014 10:23:45
Hello Gooners, liverpool fan here in peace.
Dagenham Gunner often comes on the Liverpool page for some good banter and to good effect, so I thought I'd give it a go :).
First off, a point at St Mary's is a good point, it's an even better point if you didn't play well. Tough team, tough stadium.
You'll miss Flamini though, I think he's your most effective shield for the back 4,
Anyway, since the FA cup draw was rather unfavourable to both of us(admit it, you'd rather play someone else ;)), would you rather take
3 points from Anfield, or
Go through to the next round of the cup?
I've said the 3 points, with Flamini, Ramsey and Walcott out, I think this could be a great opportunity. Especially if we can defend like we did last night,
Having said that, you could put out a youth side at the Emirates, we never win away to you lot :(. I think your big stadium gives us stage fright :)!
Fair play to Arsenal anyway, I didn't see you starting the season anywhere near as strong as you did, and I'd much rather see you win the league than Chelski or Citeh.
Tough run in for you boys starts soon, good luck!
Cheers Welshboy- I agree, although very disappointing, we didn't lose last night and it's unrealistic to expect to win every game. A long way to go yet.
Would definitely take the 3 points.
Hopefully wenger has a couple of signings up his sleeve to cover the players out you mentioned.
Would be great if you finished above man u for 4th!
Good Evening WelshboyDave,
Welcome to the best footballing site on the planet, lol.
Very good question mate.Personally, i'm going to go for the 3 points at Anfield because the way Man City, and to a lesser extent Chelsea, are playing, we can't afford any slip ups in the prem league.
I just think that to win the league, we have to win almost all of our games, although a point at Anfield is certainly nothing to be ashamed of.
Time will tell, lol.
29 Jan 2014 09:27:04
Aside from the dreaded Flamini, Arteta combo which we all know has failed on the occasions Arsene has used them together, WBA and MU spring to mind, I think a lot of credit should go to Southampton.
City drew 1 each at St Mary's and have the return fixture as do Spurs, Everton, Liverpool and United.
They are nobodies mugs and where without Lovren, Wanyama and a senior striker. Of their next 8 fixtures for them 7 are winnable so they will have a say and are Uniteds final game.
Yep we were poor but we didn't lose and thus Mert and Kos maintain their unbeaten partnership. A long way to go, other teams will drop points.
Most of us know the league is mission impossible but whilst we're up there we can at least think the impossible.
Hopefully Jelfy didn't dial 999 and ask for Arsene ;-)
Good post Code,
Gents, we must remain positive. If you have any doubts, look at the Prem table, although not after 10 o'clock tonight, lol.
29 Jan 2014 09:25:55
Very disappointed our run of games just got very hard! Think we will struggle and if your honest our performances haven't been great but we have got results recently . We need to seriously step up or in a few games we will be battling for forth don't be daft and think we are the best because quite clearly we are not we now have to beat the big teams to prove everyone wrong! Arteta and flam doesn't work why can't Wenger see it! And give the pod the game time he deserves! Roll on Sunday absolutely must win game!
Lets hope he signs one or two just to keep moral going going be a long season as usual!!
Plus £72 for bayern ticket talk about take piss out your season ticket holders!
29 Jan 2014 09:19:58
Apparently wenger has hinted at a signing by friday now ramsey is out. Thought draxler was a more likely summer acquisition, so who the hell could it be? Gundogan?
29 Jan 2014 08:32:22
My only concern is our injurys are mounting and Wenger may have left it to late to buy waiting for that bargain
29 Jan 2014 08:10:01
Ok its the morning after the night before.
We all hoped for 3 pts last night but Southampton played well and let's be honest that's something we haven't really done for weeks.
We miss Aaron more than I dared too think we would and certain decisions by Arsene are hard to understand, Arteta and Flamini plus no Poldolski again.
But we are top now and will be within a point of top tomorrow at the very least, things could be a little better admittedly but they most certainly have been A LOT LOT WORSE .
Palace are not the push overs they were at the start of the season but we have to get our game back on track starting Sunday and who knows last night might just not look such a bad result come May
Good post G62,
Nice to know i'm not the only positive one on here.
Yup, I was shocked at the side Wenger put out. I would have thought he would have played Gibbs instead of Monreal. Podolski instead of Gnabry.
Anyway, a hard earned point. We now need to return to winning ways against Palace on Sunday.
29 Jan 2014 07:22:36
Opinions on last night .
How do we all feel, Worried?
Yes, the first half performance was awful and if we play like that again we can say goodbye to any chance of winning the league
Maybe, Second half was brilliant apart from the defensive lapse to allow their 2nd goal.
Last night proves we need to but someone who can make a difference and can do it now.
Draxler would be great but he in injured.
Not sure if there is anyone truley outhere that can come in and hit the ground running but we need some players brought in.
There is no way I would call the second half brilliant. The reality is we only played well for 10 minutes in the entire game. We were extremely lucky to not lose so I am very happy with the point.
Wenger seems to refuse to change things when it is not working. A formation change or a substitute would have helped.
Monreal was our outlet but he never had anyone to pass to. As much as we need a striker we also need a left midfielder as playing Santi on the left is not the answer. Also without Ramsey or Wilshere we lose that creativity in the centre.
I hope Wenger has a masterstroke and signs two otherwise we will slip to at least 3rd.
29 Jan 2014 06:53:31
in order to win the league, we need to win games such as last night, as our record against Man C, Chelsea & Man U is poor.
I pray Wenger brings in one or two quality players to boost the squad for the run in. We have a difficult & hectic run in and bodies are needed. We have lacked a 4th centre back & a striker all season, it will be during the run in that this will be highlighted.
29 Jan 2014 06:23:49
Eds. Would you agree that January is probably not the best time to try and find and secure top players of the kind we are looking for and the fact that there are only a few months to the World Cup makes it even harder this year.You see I'm of the opinion that unless a player is unsettled, not getting game time or is basically not up to scratch he wouldn't be for sale 4-5 months into the season.Unfortunately I believe this is why we are going to struggle in this window. I'm sure someone will throw down some examples of why I may be wrong but if I were running a club unless we were in desperate and I mean desperate! need of money I wouldn't be selling any of my best players mid season. Thanks boys.
{Ed002's Note - Yes - it is always difficult.}
Good post Golds, totally agree.
29 Jan 2014 04:12:06
I said it before and I'll say it again. We need a defensive midfielder.
Ramsey out for 6 weeks. Flamini banned for 3. Wilshere regularly rested. Arteta, simply, not up to par.
And also, I like Wenger a lot but can't seem to understand why he played Wilshere 90 min against Coventry. I would have rather he played today against Southampton.
29 Jan 2014 02:51:25
Happily take a point from that. 1st half was nothing less than shambolic. Played as if we were against Braintree in the first half. 2nd yes a lot better but still u can see we lack serious firepower upfront, giroud can't do anything that can win a game like a top class striker can. That could be the different between finishing 1st or 3rd. arteta is now past it. Good squad player but should not start.but in defensive mid he's not fit enough or quick enough. In 2 minds all the time attack or defend. Knowing he's to slow to catch the opposition. Flamini god knows what he was thinking, for me it screams out Lars bender. Wenger was after him last summer so is keen. Young, knows exactly what he's doing. Another German. Along with draxler, who wenger will do exactly what he did with Henry, rvp. He won't buy another striker. He will make a world class striker. We miss Ramsey so bad it's ridiculous, how the hell do the fitness coaches have jobs? There always bloody injured! Faces another 6 week lay off. Could be here in 2 months writing out of champions league, fa cup. League gone. Fighting for 3rd with Liverpool spurs or united. Huge couple of months ahead lads!
The way we played last night, we would have been lucky to have taken one point at Braintree.
29 Jan 2014 02:44:22
Can anyone shed any more light on why Rosicky hasn't been in the squad for the last two games? He had already recovered from his broken nose. if he's been available and hasn't been selected for the squad that is bizarre.?